We went on for several days, employed in this way, nothing remarkable occurring; and, at the latter part of the week, fell in with the southeast trades, blowing about east-southeast, which brought them nearly two points abaft our beam.  They blew strong and steady, so that we hardly started a rope, until we were beyond their latitude.  The first day of ``all hands’’ one of those little incidents occurred, which are nothing in themselves, but are great matters in the eyes of a ship’s company, as they serve to break the monotony of a voyage, and afford conversation to the crew for days afterwards.  These things, too, are often interesting, as they show the customs and states of feeling on shipboard.

In merchant vessels, the captain gives his orders, as to the ship’s work, to the mate, in a general way, and leaves the execution of them, with the particular ordering, to him.  This has become so fixed a custom that it is like a law, and is never infringed upon by a wise master, unless his mate is no seaman; in which case the captain must often oversee things for himself.  This, however, could not be said of our chief mate, and he was very jealous of any encroachment upon the borders of his authority.

On Monday morning the captain told him to stay the fore topmast plumb.  He accordingly came forward, turned all hands to, with tackles on the stays and backstays, coming up with the seizings, hauling here, belaying there, and full of business, standing between the knight-heads to sight the mast,—­ when the captain came forward, and also began to give orders.  This made confusion, and the mate left his place and went aft, saying to the captain:—­

``If you come forward, sir, I’ll go aft.  One is enough on the forecastle.’’

This produced a reply, and another fierce answer; and the words flew, fists were doubled up, and things looked threateningly.

``I’m master of this ship.’’

``Yes, sir, and I’m mate of her, and know my place!  My place is forward, and yours is aft.’’

``My place is where I choose!  I command the whole ship, and you are mate only so long as I choose!’’

``Say the word, Captain Thompson, and I’m done!  I can do a man’s work aboard!  I didn’t come through the cabin windows!  If I’m not mate, I can be man,’’ &c., &c.

This was all fun for us, who stood by, winking at each other, and enjoying the contest between the higher powers.  The captain took the mate aft; and they had a long talk, which ended in the mate’s returning to his duty.  The captain had broken through a custom, which is a part of the common law of a ship, and without reason, for he knew that his mate was a sailor, and needed no help from him; and the mate was excusable for being angry.  Yet, in strict law, he was wrong, and the captain right.  Whatever the captain does is right, ipso facto, and any opposition to it is wrong on board ship; and every officer and man knows this when he signs the ship’s articles.